Arnold Martinez

Instructor: Kati

English 2010

10/24/2017

A staggering amount of Hikers occupying our National Parks it seems noteworthy that it

will likely become the New Trend in our Modern Day Pop Culture. Nielsen Scarborough long

term study on the number of Hikers beginning from spring 2008 has estimated 47.2 million

Hikers. As Hiking popularity continues to rise, does this mean more attention will be needed on

our National Parks?

A Changing Climate

As our Climate is changing, there are certain states that experience Climate

change more extreme than others. Extremes such as landslides are very common
across the U.S. More geographers will need to monitor High risk areas to minimize

incidents. Any trails damaged from Natural or Unnatural disasters will need to be

repaired or reshaped as well as small communities being affected by these disasters.

Research from Geologists have

found that landslides occur in all 50

states within the U.S, an outcome of a

landslide in some cases form floods

which overtops and reduces the

capacity of reservoirs, depending on the

bulk of debris determines the density of

the mud flow. Heavy rains, snowmelt and water ground level are part of the causes of

some Landslides according to Geologists.

As Landslides are unpredictable and are located on very steep slopes, the

common preconception is that we cannot do anything to minimize the effects of

Landslides. Well actually, minimizing the after effects of landslides is possible by land-

use policies and the public educating themselves of the History of landslides in a

particular area.

To add on Geologist have thought of 4 ways to reduce landslides by 1) covering

the landslide with an impermeable membrane, (2) directing surface water away from the

landslide, (3) draining groundwater away from the landslide, and (4) minimizing surface

irrigation. (Paragraph 15) Outdoorsmen and women are cautioned by Geologist to

consider these factors.

 What to Consider Before Hiking

Global Warming has also grabbed the attention of Geographers, as Weathering occurs

many Rocks are deposited in Non-native areas reshaping some of the trails that lead hikers to

their destinations. Confused hikers are likely to lead themselves off trail and into unknown areas,

overtime unofficial trails are created off trail leading to more confusion for many other hikers

staying on the main trail.

Trail mile length in the U.S can reach up into the thousands; Glaciers in the Western

regions of the U.S are melting, hikers in the west will come across saturated trails from melting

ice. Regions in the wilderness where snow is unaffected by the sun each year are beginning to

melt creating streams. Studies have found that in the past Western Mountains were once covered

in Glaciers but now Mountains are not cold and wet enough to support them.

Hiking trails bring people to attractions that are only viewable by walking to it, during a

hikers progress towards their destination wild life such as deer, moose and beavers are

frequently spotted in American wilderness. Hikers should be wary of the distance between them

and the wildlife although some appear to be harmless animal behavior is unpredictable in fact

for many species, unwanted intrusion or getting too close to wildlife can result in adult species
abandoning their young or you may be interrupting the mating season which can have an

extremely negative impact on the wildlife ecology (Jeff Paragraph 4).

The Seasons Fall and Winter, is another factor that causes hikers to steer off trail inevitably

causing them to be stranded in the wilderness. A Report by Alex Breitler explains the difficulties Weather

such as snow causes for hikers. Snow in most cases can get very deep for hikers, those that were not

prepared with special equipment meant for snow are at high risk of death, Breitlers report has also found

that with rising temperatures, streams from melted snow are running high and cannot be crossed safely. In

Addition Ice Wedging commonly occurs in cold Climates leaving open cracks in the ground, as fluid

from melted snow enters these cracks liquefaction arises and acts as quick sand.

In the event of hikers in danger from obstacles created by Weather, Breitlers states that cell

phone service is usually spotty in the Mountains. Depending on how well your phone service providers

are able to establish a good enough connection between the wilderness and the city, could become a

hikers back up plan for survival. Search and Rescue teams raise a better chance of finding lost hikers that

have cell phones functioning well enough in the wilderness that they can give their location.
 What Hiking does for us?

Hiking is very healthy for your body, it is a big calorie burner for everyone making their

journey to end of the trail. A fair amount of trails has steep hills that you will need to hike on,

this improves your cardio vascular which will put decrease your chance of getting heart disease

or suffering from cardiac arrest. If you are distance hiker aiming for several days, you will

introduce yourself to different types of topography resulting in better vision for spotting rest

areas.

Going into the wilderness also serves as stress reliever, being away from the sound of

cars, air planes and people can greatly help reduce your stress. Julie Corliss report on Health

Benefits from Hiking for Harvard Health found that hiking Enthusiasts there is a sense of peace

and composure from being away from the outside world. The longer you are in the wilderness

the more changes your body and mind will undergo.

 More hiking in the wilderness can improve the economy, the obesity epidemic in the U.S

can be fixed if more people are encouraged go out and hike. United States Department of

Agriculture pronounces that the Federal Government spends 2 trillion dollars on healthcare

they also say that recreation is the natural solution. They claim that 80% of our population lives

in cities and is focused on technology. Children are more connected to technology than ever and

is losing touch with the kinds of activities that can be done outside.